Leon only grinned in response to Astaroth's bold words, already having an inkling of an idea of what he wanted to do.
Meanwhile, Commander Alena only shook her head dejectedly.
"I'll be going around the primary way, then. The new military councilman wanted all higher officers to be present for this meeting, so we all learn of the face of this buffoon—I mean, King of ours."
ραΠdαsΝοvel.cοm Coral threw a glare at her mother-in-law, reprimanding her cutting words, which Alena ignored with an enormous smile.
Astaroth chuckled at her comment, finally getting a grasp of how the woman was. She might have a rough demeanour and attitude, but she seemed incredibly loyal, and viciously protective of her loved ones.
These were all good qualities, in his eyes. He would only have to earn her loyalty through actions.
Leon smiled at her as she left, his respect for the woman apparent.
"You know, she questioned my intentions. I think she was scared I would go rampaging and warring every nation nearby. She is ferociously loyal to you, more than to me," Astaroth commented, looking at Leon from the corner of his eye.
Leon chuckled.
"I'm sure she would have tried taking you down if you had confirmed her worries as well. She is a feisty one, that Elf. But a strong Commander, and a loyal friend. I'll try putting in a good word your way, so she becomes less aggravating towards you."
Astaroth waved a hand dismissively.
"Don't bother. I'll win her over with my actions. I'll show that I only have one enemy, and it's everyone's common enemy. Till then, I'll deal with her like I would deal with any aggressive woman. I'll just smile and say yes."
"Grahahaha!" Leon laughed out loud.
"Now I see why Phoenix feels so much more royal than you. The lioness is always scarier than the lions. But keep in mind you also have to project strength, if you want to earn the other's respect."
Leon's words were strangely filled with wisdom, for someone who used to relish in combat just as much as he did. But he could only guess what ten years in power over a growing kingdom did to a man.
Peaking out of the side of the tunnel that led into the throne room, Astaroth saw that it was gradually filling up. He wasn't able to see the center of the room, as it was hidden behind the dais and thrones, but he could guess the usual table that resided there was not there at the moment.
So many men and women were entering the room, that the hubbub of speech was like a low rumbling or vibration, shaking the wooden walls a bit, transferring some of this vibration to the tree itself.
Astaroth was starting to feel a bit nervous, as he wasn't used to talking in front of sizeable crowds. But Leon slapped his shoulder, grinning at him jokingly.
"Don't get cold feet, your highness. You need to inspire awe and power toward all these fools if you want them to follow you later. If not, they'll think I should stay on that throne."
Astaroth chuckled.
"They wouldn't be wrong, in a sense. You know as well as I that I will be gone most of the time, and you will be acting as leader in my stead when Phoenix is also away."
Leon's face dropped a bit. He sighed heavily.
"And here I thought I would catch a break, and finally be able to rest and lounge. Why are you doing this to me all the time? Did I wrong you in a previous life?"
Coral giggled in the back, seeing Leon's dejected face for the first time, and unable to contain it.
Leon looked at her wide-eyed, then turned his head back to Astaroth.
"See?! Now even maids make fun of me. I just want to rest," he whined, his shoulders slumping.
Coral walked over to Leon, bowing a bit.
"I'm sorry, lord Leon. I didn't want to make fun of you. Your downtrodden face was just so adorable, and it was the first time I saw it."
Leon clicked his tongue.
"Stop being so cute, girl. I'll fight your betrothed for that hand if you do."
Coral giggled again softly, taking a step back.
"I believe Castien would take on that challenge if it meant getting to fight you and proving his worth," she replied, her smile bright.
Astaroth wondered what the context was to this, but decided to let it unfold and learn.
"Tch! That Elf has asked me so many times to spar I had to order the construction of the sixth floor! Persistent fellow. If his mother wasn't still healthy and strong, he would have long since replaced her as Commander."
Coral faked an astonished expression.
"Please, lord Leon. Don't let either of them hear that, or they will raze this city to the ground in their fight to prove who should be Commander."
"Grahaha! I know. That's why I would never utter those words before either of them. I just know they will be the first ones to try out the training floor when it's done."
Astaroth was taken aback. Hadn't Alena just called him a battle maniac minutes ago?
And now he was hearing that she liked fighting to this point, too. It felt a bit hypocritical in his mind.
But he could also imagine neither she nor her son would fight without a good reason. They at least gave off that much of a sense of discipline.
But now he was curious about their power level. By the sound of it, they were strong enough to hold a candle to Leon, at least.
He hadn't scanned anyone since he arrived in the city, minding his manners around the people. But he guessed it wouldn't be a bad time during the meeting to do so.
As a king, he had at least that right, right?
He kept the idea in the back of his mind, as he heard some clapping resound from the tunnel that led to the throne room. The thunderous clapping died down, and with it, the vibration of voices did as well.
'Seems like it's starting. Guess it's almost show-time!'
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